After the much-discussed, uncompleted Smile project -- which was supposed to take the innovations of Pet Sounds to even grander heights -- collapsed, the Beach Boys released Smiley Smile in its place. (To clarify much confusion: Smiley Smile is an entirely different piece of work than Smile would have been, although some material that ended up on Smiley Smile would have most likely been used on Smile. Also, much of Smiley Smile was in fact recorded after the Smile sessions had ceased.) For fans expecting something along the lines of Sgt. Pepper (and there were many of them), Smiley Smile was a major disappointment, replacing psychedelic experimentation with spare, eccentric miniatures. Heard now, outside of such unrealistic expectations, it's a rather nifty, if rather slight, effort that's plenty weird -- in fact, often downright goofy -- despite Brian Wilson's retreat from both avant pop and active leadership of the group. "Wind Chimes," "Wonderful," "Vegetables," and much of the rest is low-key psychedelic quirkiness, with abundant fine harmonies and unusual arrangements. The standouts, nonetheless, were two recent hit singles in which Brian Wilson's ambitions were still intact: the inscrutable mini-opera "Heroes and Villains," and the number one hit "Good Vibrations," one of the few occasions where the group managed to be recklessly experimental and massively commercial at the same time. A 1990 Capitol CD combines this and Wild Honey onto one disc, adding previously unreleased in-progress versions of "Good Vibrations" and "Heroes and Villains," the a cappella B-side "You're Welcome," a 1967 version of "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring," and an excellent outtake, "Can't Wait Too Long."
(by Richie Unterberger, AMG)
The album that replaced 'Smile'. 'Smile' was to have been an impossibly brilliant triumph, the album that would have been the perfect pop/rock album and also the record that would have ended the career of the likes of The Beatles. Of course, it was never completed or released. The reasons are numerous and too complex to go into in the space of this review. Much of it was probably hype but now we'll never know in any case. 'Heroes And Villains' opens things, and even in this imperfect form is still very very special. The lyrics are fast paced, beautiful and meaningless fun. 'Vegetables' is a little silly thing but does contain wonderful vocal parts. 'She's Goin Bald' is just downright stupid. At this point you are probably wondering what the hell is going on. Perseverance reaps it's own rewards. 'Little Pad' features possibly the most beautiful harmonic humming you are ever likely to hear. 'Good Vibrations' is, well, it's 'Good Vibrations'! Little needs to be said about this particular perfect masterpiece that hasn't already been said. 'With Me Tonight' is the best of the songs not originally scheduled to appear on 'Smile'. It sounds like it was recorded in a church and Carl sings so well it will make you shiver and cry. That's a promise, by the way. 'Wind Chimes' is a spooky different version of a 'Smile' song, 'Gettin' Hungry' a bit too simplistic - very raw production wise. In fact, it's a bit out of place here altogether. 'Wonderful' is a superb heartbreaking ballad and 'Whistle In' a short little coda to what's gone before.
'Smiley Smile' is in-fact a highly regarded and influential album in it's own right. Some of the vocal parts sound truly otherworldly and are unlikely to ever be surpassed. This otherworldliness may in part be due to all the strange things the guys were smoking at the time, but still! No, this isn't 'Smile', but we should be thankful the group continued and gave us music as good as this to remember them by.
(Adrian Denning)